Dentist and scared of needles

I've got to get a couple of fillings next week. I'm scared ****less of needles. Usually I'm okay at the dentist because every time I went back in the US, the dentist numbed my gum with a topical anesthetic before actually injecting me. Someone just told me that they don't do the topical anesthetic here before injecting you. Now I'm soiling my pants. Is this true, or could he be trying to scare me?

I would call the dentist's office and ask! Hope it all goes well for you.

Maybe that person's dentist didn't do it, but my NHS dentist does. Just call yours and ask!

Agreed - also, there's absolutely no shame in telling them you have a fear of needles. I used to pass out whenever a needle came near me (I've since conquered my fear) so I told my dentist and they made sure to go at a speed that worked for me -- and gave me extra topical.

I'm not needle phobic but i'm dental phobic in general. lol My dentist here is well aware of that and uses local numbing gel stuff on the area to get the novacaine. She doesn't even ask me as she knows me too well. lol
I love my dentist just hate hate hate having dental work done lol. So I'd just ask your prospective dentist if they use it or not. ..

My current NHS dentist is probably one of the best I've had as far as injections go. But, none of the NHS dentists I have had have numbed the area before giving the injection. So what I do is put bonjela on the area before my appointment so it is all nice and numb during the appointment. It works really well for me.

i'm dental phobic in general.

Me too!

When I moved down here and rang up the dental practice to make my first appointment, I explained that to the receptionist who immediately said, "Oh, then I'll book you with 'lovely Charlie.'" Charlie is indeed lovely and gentle and possibly the best dentist I've ever had!

So don't be afraid of telling them about your fears. It's something most practices are used to dealing with.

I've always been curious about being scared of the dentist. What exactly is it that makes you guys squirm? Not being judgy or anything, genuinely curious! 

I'm fine with the dentist, and fine with injections, but if someone comes near me with a needle intended for sucking something out of my forearm, or for an IV, I'm not going to be okay with it! The oral surgeon had to give me laughing gas so that I would be relaxed enough for him to put the IV in for the anesthesia when I got my wisdom teeth out. 

I've always been curious about being scared of the dentist. What exactly is it that makes you guys squirm? Not being judgy or anything, genuinely curious! 

I can't exactly explain it. It's a phobia, so it's not really anything rational. I know nothing truly AWFUL will happen to me at the dentist ... but still ...

Though I am much better than I used to be!

I've always been curious about being scared of the dentist. What exactly is it that makes you guys squirm? Not being judgy or anything, genuinely curious! 

I have had two very painful experiences at the hands of dentists. Basically work done poorly or rushed with inappropriate level of numbing/sedation. I'm not scared like I used to be, and I've grown up a bit and do go because I need to for my health - but if I could get away with never going again I would.

For me my dental phobia comes from when i was a kid probably about 8 to 10 yrs old. I had a horrid dentist who caused me GREAT pain.
My parents promptly took me out of that dentist and then I had the same dentist until I left the us 30 years later .. Have a few dentists here in Scotland but that was due to me moving areas and travel distance etc.. I've been lucky.. just explained my previous fears and they've been good with me.
My current dentist is fab and does whatever she can to avoid me having pain.
Takes me as a emergency patient fairly quickly too. So I can't complain.

The oral surgeon had to give me laughing gas so that I would be relaxed enough for him to put the IV in for the anesthesia when I got my wisdom teeth out.

I had all four of my wisdom teeth out at once, while I was awake! It was pretty traumatising (but cheaper for my mom to pay the bill) without the gas & only just the local injections in my mouth. Then I drove myself ten miles home afterwards, half in shock (I was 19).

So I don't like going to the dentist, but I wouldn't say it's a phobia per se - because I know it's usually ok & not like that.

Unfortunately, I went back to that same dentist (wisdom teeth removal dentist) again when I was 40-something, visiting my mom near my hometown & I fractured my molar while I was there - it needed removing & a root canal. That was an awful experience too (and just the overall circumstances), but he was the only dentist who would see me as I'd been his patient 20+ years earlier.

Sure glad I never have to see that particular dentist again!

Thanks so much for sharing everyone, and so sorry to hear about these bad experiences!   It makes perfect sense though, and I'd imagine I'd probably have a similar reaction. My whole problem with getting blood drawn/needles in the forearms is directly related to being in the hospital when I was 4 and a horrible experience with getting blood drawn when I was 14, so while my problem isn't with dentists, I get it!

Just thought I'd update. My appointment was a few days ago. I asked the dentist beforehand whether she would numb the area before the injection and she said yes. Everything went fine and I could barely feel the needle. Cavities are all filled now so it was definitely worth doing!

I'm glad it all went well!